Day of Porgual FR Opening Ceremony 6 13 26

Fall River.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here this afternoon. Welcome to the 2026 Day of Portugal Fall River. And what a great city to celebrate the Day of Portugal. This has become over the last 11 years the premier day of Portugal celebration not only in New England but many say throughout the committee throughout the communities because here we celebrate with a lot of people a lot of enthusiasm and with lots

of Portuguese pride and culture here present and the city of Fall River as we all know is intertwined with Portugal.

The fabric of S Fall River is partly created by the strings of Portugal. The immigrants who made that decision years ago to come over to the United States, start a new life, create a life that would be better for their children and grandchildren. And today, Fall River is what it is, and I can say this confidently, is what it is in part to the great contribution of the hard work and the dedication of the Portuguese

community. It it absolutely And what's interesting is that we have created a subculture that's not Portuguese. It's not American, but it's Luzo American. And those of you that live here and that share both cultures know exactly what I'm saying. What other city can the man who teaches you teaches you math from Monday through Friday at Derby during the weekend climb speakers and sing Superman?

In what city can the lady who worked at or used to work at Quaker Fabric on the weekend go to S restaurant and be a well-known sista that would have been Fall River in this subculture that we have.

Where else? Where else would we have a young man who decided to study music and behold he became the author of the soundtrack of many of our uh childhood.

Speaking obviously of Mr. propos.

And where else where else can we have a gentleman who was raised in this subculture who eventually became the greatest celebrity chef since Julia Child, Fall River. And here that subculture was created. So there's no better city to celebrate our pride in our heritage than this great city. And congratulations to each and every one of the committee members who are dedicated in making this a great festival so that

we can truly celebrate with the respect it deserves our Portuguese culture.

So ladies and gentlemen to begin I'd like to introduce the official spokesperson for the day of Portugal committee. He has been part of this committee since the very beginning. A well-known and respected gentleman from our community. Ladies and gentlemen, John

continue.

And now, if you don't mind, I'll change a little bit English. For those of you that are not totally familiar with the day of Portugal, this is the day where anywhere in the world, anyone that has an ounce of Portuguese blood in this system turns around, tries to find a fellow countryman, a fellow country woman, a neighbor, and befriends them again and celebrates what we have in common, which is an incredible culture

because Portuguese These people whenever they go wherever they go the one thing they do is they create roots and they are so proud to be able to contribute to the development of the community that received them. That's the way it has been in Fall River and we are only too happy to continue that tradition. So one last thing and I think that's probably our proudest accomplishment is a lot of our organizations

kind of tend to disappear and go away and die and become forgotten because we those organizations are unable to attract the second generation, the third generation. And what we've noticed in the last few years is that there are more and more young kids, teenagers. I'm not talking about the little kids that the parents and the grandparents have to drag into peace. I'm talking about the

kids who shock me because when they hear sing they know the words to his songs I do not. So for us that's a tremendous source of pride because that means that as proud as we are of being of Portuguese descent we have reasons now to become even prouder because we know that that will continue in this area. So to the local officials that make it easier for us to organize such an event,

it is very very gratifying to see that they are here to continue to support them. So everyone, thank you very much.

WELCOME.

Thank you, John. Now to speak on behalf of the great city of Fall River, a gentleman who I usually say is also the mayor of the 10th island of the Azor.

Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable mayor of Fall River, Mr. Paul.

Obviously, this is another great day of Portugal festival in the city of Far River. They told me it was cool down here, so I wore a long sleeve shirt. So, that's what I've been thinking. But this is so important to the city of Fall River and the culture we have developed here that every year we get together for these three days and celebrate the the culture of the Portuguese people with

something for everybody. So anybody watching this live, come on down, come tomorrow and we'll wrap it up tomorrow evening, but it's very, very special.

Welcome everyone. Thanks for being here.

Thank you, mayor. and to speak on behalf of the Portuguese government, a friend of our community, the council of Portugal in New Bedford, Dr. Thiago.

Good afternoon everyone.

Honorable Mayor Paul Coogan, elected officials, Senator Michael, Representative Carl Fiola Representative Alan Sylvia, community leaders, Representatives of Portuguese American organizations, distinguished guests, and dear friends, it is a great honor to join you today as we celebrate Portugal Day and we witness the raising of the Portuguese flag here in the city of Fall River by the iconic

portrait proud symbol of theor heritage of our community.

This ceremony is more than a tribute to a nation. It is a celebration of a people, a culture, and a shared history that connects Portugal and the United States across the Atlantic. For generations, Portuguese immigrants and their descendants have helped shape Fall River. They have built businesses, strengthen neighborhoods, enrich civic life, and pass on traditions that continue to flourish today. The

Portuguese American community has shown that one can be fully American while proudly preserving Portuguese rules.

This dual heritage is a source of strength enriching most countries and serving as a living bridge between them.

Today we also celebrate the Portuguese language spoken by more than 260 million people around the world and the legacy of camo whose word remains one of the greatest symbols of Portuguese culture and identity. As we raise the Portuguese flag, we honor not only Portugal's history, but also the achievements, sacrifices, and aspirations of the Portuguese communities throughout the world. And nowhere is that spirit more

visible that here in Fall River, a city whose story is inseparable from the story of its Portuguese community.

Fall Forever.

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Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to recognize the other municipal officials that are here this afternoon representing the Fall River City Council, Councelor Linda Pereira and also Councelor Michael Canyon. Thank you very much for being here this afternoon for your friendship and support of the day of Portugal Fall River. Speaking of support, this festival could not have been without the the great support of

these city departments. So we would like to thank all of the city departments who have helped make this possible and particularly to the Fall River Police Department and Chief JTer.

Thank you, sir, for keeping us safe during these three days of feast. and also to the fire chief Jeff Bon. Thank you so much for your friendship, for your support of the day of Fall River.

I'd like to recognize the state delegation with us here this afternoon.

Start with state representative Alan Sylvia. Thank you very much, sir.

Represented by uh one of his officials uh Representative Steve Wlette, who was here represented this afternoon. State Representative Carol Fiola. Thank you very much.

State Representative Chris Marquy as well is also candidate for Bristol County District Attorney. And it is my honor to introduce to you a great friend, nonofficial committee member of the state of Portugal for River, ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Senator Michael Rogers.

Thank you Ricardo. Good afternoon everyone. This is always an amazing day as we raise a flag. And I know last night was the official kickoff of the um day of Portugal here in Fall River.

We're going to have a beautiful weather to celebrate tonight and I'm sure in a couple hours. This area will be full of people. I want to congratulate and thank all of the deaf community. I know how hard you work. Let's I know harder to work all year in organizing uh this event. So, thank you all. Everyone be safe. Enjoy.

Thank you, Senator. I'd also like to recognize Miss Fall River here this afternoon. Anastasia Rose and Miss team Fall River Olivia Landry also here this afternoon. Thank you.

And ladies and gentlemen, great supporters of the Native Portal and all that is Portuguese on this side of the Atlantic. represented by Miguel and also Leon. Thank you very much for being here this afternoon.

Miguel, I'd like to invite you to say a few words on behalf of FL.

Strengthening the ties between Portugal and the United States. It's too hot.

This microphone is here.

This microphone I know. So going to Rh.

You are amazing with the umbrella. Hello everybody.

It's too hot to speak a lot. I could not speech he had only 35. So I'm happy that I'm not. So thank you very much for on behalf of American Development Foundation FL to be here with my colleague.

We are not the the team works also with the Portuguese American communities and the Portuguese US representative of Portuguese descent and the ones who want to to become Portuguese too. But it's really a pleasure to be here in river. I feel at home although I'm not 40 years old but I feel at home and for me it's a real real real Portuguese fest and thank you very much once again the old members of the community

organization community which is great and I'm so sorry because you have to allow me to let you know that that's not confus you are going to have in but also in airport uh the tall ship s on July 19 and on that day it is going to be the the the last game of the world cup and flight is organizing at the auditori of high school a live broadcast of the final

and also a concert by the famous Portuguese singer Antonio Zambu. And we hope to see you all there if you go to our social media, my social media. I'm joking. You can find the link to subscribe and it's free by now. So, Viva Portugal.

Thank you, Miguel. And now I'd like to call upon Shaina Lubold who will be singing the national anthems. We will start with the Star Spangled Banner as we watch the stars and stripes being raised upon the city gates.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn early light, what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming.

Who's brought stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight?

Or the ramparts we watch were so gallently swinging.

And the rockets red glare.

The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star spangled better yet way for the land of the free and a home of The brave

land.

We spend the

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Vival Vivo.

Ladies and gentlemen, at this point in the ceremony, we usually acknowledge the honorary day of Portugal Fall River President. That will not happen this afternoon. It will happen tomorrow on the main stage. uh doing another commitment. The person will be honored could not be here this afternoon. So tomorrow on the main stage that trophy and that recognition uh will be done.

Now uh something that does happen every year and is a great moment for the day of Portugal when they contribute to the future education of the young generation here in the community. Uh we'd like to first call upon uh the gentleman who will be handing out the scholarships to the Diamond Vocational School students.

All right. Your name. I'm sorry.

Emanuel Bellomanuel Boutique teacher right?

Yes.

And to hand out the scholarship teacher vocational.

I'd like to begin by uh thanking these gentlemen over here the committee of the day of Portugal for river for their hard work. uh the last so many years I've been here with my students and watching what they do for the three days and their hard work, dedication and goes above above and beyond what they do here for this city. So our students, they get to see this firsthand and our students today receiving this award

uh they actually exemplify what these guys bring to the table.

So it is my honor to present the day of Portugal Fall River scholarship of diamond regional vocational technical students to Lauria Mones, Landon Coddero and Madison Raposa.

Gloria, thank you Landon. Thank you.

And Madison could not be here this afternoon, but she will be given the plaque and obviously the scholarship.

But also Full River Day of Portugal committee member Tony Rodri.

Hope everybody is having a great day today. It's with great honor that I'm here to present to my last year students. I am retiring not at age 45.

But before I do that, I want to say because behalf of my community and my committee that we are so thankful to the gentleman that was here before me, Mr.

Emmanuel Bout, you guys are amazing. We couldn't do this without you, man. You and your students, I'm very grateful.

Thank you.

So now to my stars of this year, we have um two students that are represent not only the Portuguese language, Portuguese culture. These two young lady are very special to Dery High School and to me.

Um they not only had the highest score in my Portuguese class, but since they were about 5 years old, they've been coming to DeA Portugal. Actually, not five, maybe six, seven. So, they've been hanging around with us. So, I call upon Giana Gong and Avery Tons.

Tony

St.

And ladies and gentlemen, the Saturday festivities have officially began.

Let's all celebrate our Portuguese pride today and tomorrow.